As a powerhouse in the ad world, you were a trailblazer in a male-dominated field. Now in your book you say working women have it harder than they used to. Why is that the case?

It’s an odd position, isn’t it? Given that we’re so dominant. I think part of the issue is that men find it easier to understand another man’s potential, because they have these codes and they have understanding. They know the know the women far less well. And things are so politically correct, there’s not as much as a chance to say, “What do you care about?”

How does so-called political correctness hurt women?

There’s a recognition that there’s a certain way to conduct the work relationship. It’s been a great advantage. But it’s also brought along with it a certain distance in terms of measuring who [women] are and what they’re made of. So a man will say, “What is she going to be like when the going gets rough? What can I estimate about her capacity to dig in there?” And women aren’t as good at saying, “This is the kind of leader I will be.”

Women need to understand that when they walk into that office or that factory, they’re not bringing along that mother role or that lover role. They’re bringing different aspects of themselves that will be put into play. It’s extremely liberating to understand that.

Relationships at work are not about friendship and popularity. You need to achieve what I call respect, recognition and reputation. You need to be very clear what qualities you want to be known for. And you have to develop your own media plan. Counting on someone else to do that for you is a major mistake.

Relationships at work are not about friendship and popularity. You need to achieve what I call respect, recognition and reputation. You need to be very clear what qualities you want to be known for. And you try every day to communicate that to everyone else. You have to develop your own media plan.

As someone who’s hired a lot of people, both women and men, what do you look for?

What I’m looking for is not any special set of attributes, but how well this person knows themselves.

The second thing is I’m looking for someone who’s in love with the kind of work we have in front of us. Not just like, but love.